A day of international progress and domestic gains

What an amazing day for America. China agreed to new tariffs that finally favor America, and the stock market is up 3 to 4 percent just today. China agreed to crack down on fentanyl sent to the cartels. The last hostage from Gaza was released today. Prescription drugs are mandated to be comparable to the prices paid in other countries. We will eliminate the middleman and save maybe 80% on your prescriptions today.

India and Pakistan have signed a truce today. It was announced that Russia and Ukraine might meet this week as we put pressure on Russia with more major sanctions. We vetted 59 white South African farmers to come to America the right way. And to top it off, Trump is on his way to the Middle East to hopefully update the Abraham Accords. He should have won a Nobel Prize for doing this in his first presidency.

On top of all of this, our borders are secure. This is just one day out of 110 days since he went into office. Congratulations.

John Harcourt, New Castle

A retired trooper’s proposal for Glenwood Canyon safety

Here we go again — another six-hour shutdown on I-70. In broad daylight, on dry roads, we had another semi-truck rollover at Milepost 116 eastbound. Why? The answer is speed and location.

Last year, through conversations with Perry Will’s office, the state changed the location for enforcement from mile point 116–131 to mile point 115.5–131. A small one-half mile change can make a huge difference in the potential for a semi rollover. However, that change must be coupled with a reduction in speed.

Last year, I suggested an all-year speed limit of 35 mph in Glenwood Canyon. The right-lane law for heavier trucks has been required for years. As I recall, the truck speed limit coming out of the Eisenhower Tunnel westbound is 35 mph because of the steep grade heading downhill. In our case, it is the curves that are the problem. There is every reason to justify the 35 mph speed limit. It takes something like eight more minutes for a truck to travel through the canyon at 35 mph than it does at 50 mph.

I challenge our Rep. Elizabeth Velasco to get serious about this proposed speed limit change. I like CDOT painting the “no trucks in the left lane” symbols, but that should start at mile point 115.5.

If our elected representatives don’t get serious about this, we can all count on more rollovers.

Mark Barritt, retired Colorado State Trooper, Glenwood Springs

A centrist response to immigration debate

Reference letter from John Harcourt titled “Thoughts on immigration and national priorities,” dated April 30, 2025.

Mr. Harcourt, first let me say that I am an independent voter who is completely disillusioned with both parties due to the extreme nature of each that has overtaken them. I believe that governing from the middle, not the fringes, is the only way to govern effectively. I am hopeful that at some point, independent voters like me can coalesce to move politics back to the center so the extremes can be minimized to voices in the back of the room.

Now, to your letter. You mention the national debt and its potential impact on the country. I agree completely that it is a major problem, but Congress does not appear to be willing to or capable of addressing it, and the efforts underway by the current administration will lead to insignificant savings overall.

Your statements on what occurred during the last administration are interesting to say the least. You talk of the focus of the deportations being “violent criminals, gang members and drug dealers.” This may be the focus, but all of the people being abducted and removed do not fit these criteria.

On the topic of the last administration lying, I can only say that we are now truly blessed to have a person in charge that would never lie about anything. Wow, I can’t believe I wrote that even in jest.

I take solace in the fact that even if  by chance the current person does lie, you will support his position wholeheartedly, as that is what the fringes do.

Bob Shanks, New Castle

Appreciation for city crews and contractors

Congratulations to the City of Glenwood Springs — especially Matt Langhorst, public works director, Gould Construction and Grand River Construction — for the fantastic job on repaving Lincolnwood Drive and improving the drainage.

The end product is like driving on a ballroom floor, and they always notified the residents of any changes in plans. The inconvenience to residents was minimal, and they even reseeded the dirt that was dug up on the side of the road.

Thank you very much for a job well done.

Bob Derkash, Glenwood Springs